Zimbabwe expands lenacapavir access nationally starting in January after demand crushed initial projections. Health authorities received 23,000 doses, with 20,000 more incoming, because 4,700 people already started the twice-yearly HIV prevention injection across 12 sites. Dr Owen Mugurungi noted most of the original 2,000-dose supply vanished within two weeks instead of lasting three months.
Weekly initiations now hit 500 as women aged 24 to 45 drive uptake significantly. Most new users never tried PrEP before choosing this six-month alternative over daily pills. Only 13 side effects emerged from nearly 5,000 administered shots, mostly involving minor injection site reactions rather than systemic issues.
Training programs prepare health workers and facilities for broader distribution beyond traditional clinics. Pharmacies and outreach initiatives may soon offer access to communities struggling with facility distance. Districts will prioritize HIV hotspots while ensuring follow-up injections reach existing users without interruption during this scale-up phase.
Weekly initiations now hit 500 as women aged 24 to 45 drive uptake significantly. Most new users never tried PrEP before choosing this six-month alternative over daily pills. Only 13 side effects emerged from nearly 5,000 administered shots, mostly involving minor injection site reactions rather than systemic issues.
Training programs prepare health workers and facilities for broader distribution beyond traditional clinics. Pharmacies and outreach initiatives may soon offer access to communities struggling with facility distance. Districts will prioritize HIV hotspots while ensuring follow-up injections reach existing users without interruption during this scale-up phase.
